International students dominate CBU student council election

Student government is getting a big boost at Cape Breton University thanks to the arrival of large numbers of international students.

The student population has swelled to just under 5,000 this year, and 2,600 of those come from a country other than Canada.

The current student union president is from India and the vice-president is from Egypt.

New elections are being held this week, and the cafeteria walls are plastered with campaign posters as nine international students vie for the top two positions.

There are no domestic students on the executive ballots.

Another 35 students, both domestic and international, are running for student council representative positions.

Suvir Singh of India, the student union's chief returning officer, said last year's election had one of the best turnouts in recent memory.

"Comparatively, over the few years that I've been here, it was the highest turnout that we've had," said Singh.

"We're expecting a lot more this time. The campaigning ... in the cafeteria is going on — it's crazy, honestly."

Roa Nidhin of India said it's not surprising that so many international students are running for election.

He said access to transit and affordable housing are big issues for students coming from other countries.

"I think they have to come forward and they have to be in the position that could understand the problems of international students so they can find a particular solution for that," Nidhin said.

Students are currently voting over two days and results are expected later this week.